We also take a look at Wisconsin's voter photo ID law that is before Wisconsin's highest court.

The "Washing Machine" Cases

Last year we wrote about Sears, Roebuck and Co. v. Butler, which we noted the Supreme Court remanded in light of its decision in Comcast Corp. v. Behrend, and the Seventh Circuit still came to the same conclusion by distinguishing Comcast. At the time we noted that whether the Supreme Court would grant cert would depend, in large part, on whether the Court determined that the Seventh Circuit correctly distinguished Comcast. Well it seems that it has, because on Monday, for the second time, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case.

Wisconsin's Voter ID Law

In 2011, Wisconsin's voter ID law, requiring a valid photo ID in order to vote was enacted. Shortly thereafter, a judge blocked it from taking effect, as a multitude of litigation questioning the constitutionality of the law arose in both state and federal courts, according to the Milwaukee chapter of the NAACP. According to the NAACP, the Wisconsin Supreme Court declined to hear appeals regarding the voter ID law on three previous occasions, but recently changed course "in the interest of judicial economy." The Justices of the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases challenging the voter id law yesterday, reports the Wisconsin Law Journal, and we're awaiting an outcome.

With the growing number of voter ID laws coming before a multitude of state courts, and undoubtedly with varying results, it won't be too long before the Supreme Court is forced to deal with the issue to lend some consistency, and prevent disenfranchisement across the country.

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About U.S. Seventh Circuit

U.S. Seventh Circuit features news and information from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, which hears appeals from U.S. District Courts in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. This blog also features news that would be of interest to legal professionals practicing in the 7th Circuit. Have a comment or tip? Write to us.